Burton tribute at £22.5m Royal Welsh College opening

The new concert hall is part of a £22.5m improvement scheme

The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama's new £22.5m Cardiff base opened with a tribute to Richard Burton.

His daughter Kate was unveiling a bust of her father while actor Robert Hardy was reading a eulogy to the late Welsh-born Hollywood star.

The development in the grounds of Cardiff Castle includes a 450-seat concert hall and a 160-seat theatre named in honour of Burton.

There are a series of events at the complex over the next few days.

They include a performance by 2005 Cardiff Singer of the World winner Andrew Kennedy and a special series of concerts by Welsh National Opera.

Walk of Fame

Kennedy's concert will officially open the 450-seat hall named after Dora Stoutzker who used to teach music in south Wales.

Other facilities include studio, teaching, rehearsal and foyer spaces, an exhibition gallery to display the college's award-winning theatre and costume designs, and a new cafe bar and outdoor terrace overlooking Bute Park.

Work on the development began in 2009.

It was confirmed on Wednesday that Burton, a miner's son from Pontrhydyfen, near Port Talbot who died in 1984 aged 58, is to is to be recognised with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

His tempestuous love affair with Elizabeth Taylor, who died earlier this year, is also reported to be being made into a film directed by Martin Scorsese.